Substandard Spitfire - part 3

Given the ghastliness of the kit (see the full horror here) , the Spitfire seems to have turned out quite well.  But I'll be sure to avoid the Revell Spit Mk1 kit in future - even if it is cheap!  I have a couple of Airfix Spits awaiting my attentions, so it will be interesting to compare and contrast.

Steve's new toys

As if to prove that others do take notice of my ramblings, my old friend Stephen Briddon contacted me recently to berate me for undermining his self-restraint.  Only a few weeks later, he has sent me photos of his newly-painted 54mm WW2 figures.

The figures are Airfix, guns Britains and tanks are CTS.  Inspired by my own efforts (gawd help him!), Steve has gone for the toy soldier look.

I'm delighted to be back in touch with Steve - although looking at this lot I suspect his wife may not fully share that elation...

So how do I know Steve?  He was a member of Sheffield Wargames Society and Wargame Developments before going off to conquer new frontiers in the North American colonies.  When he's not going for the 'traditional toy soldier' look Steve can paint smaller figures in disturbing detail - I still have figures which he painted for me in the 1990s - some 20mm WW2 Germans and a load of 15mm Napoleonics.

Christmas Fairey part 3

Given that title of this series of posts it seemed reasonable to try and get the thing finished by the end of January!
You'll recall that the kit went together quite well (post) so my final opportunity to mess it up came with the paintwork.

 It actually seems to have turned out quite well - though as usual the camera flash is very unforgiving.

 Paint scheme and decals as per the box art.

All I need now is a heavily defended bridge to attack...

Delaying Action

 This was a NATO Brigade Commander game run by Martin using his 2mm toys.  John and Tim C (above) led the wicked capitalists....

...while the forces of progressive socialism were commanded by Jerry and your Humble Correspondent.  A clear victory to us in the battle of the silly hats.

  The field of battle.  Each 10cm hex is 1km across in the game.  

Out objective was to head west and not stop!

The Sov forces were a Tank Regiment 3 Btls of T-64, a  Motor Rifle Btl in BMP, a SP artillery Btl and a Co each of AA, Recce, Engineers and HQ.  We also had 2 flights each of Mi-24 Hinds and Su-17 Fitters on call.

 We also had the Divisional Recce Btl, augmented by engineers and SP artillery.

Our cunning plan was to send the Recce Btl on the right to act as a distraction while the main force moved along the axis of the autobahn.

The opening moves saw out programmed artillery landing on four crossroads, while the Brits blew up bridges.

 The wicked Brits flew in some TA reinforcements by helicopter.

 As usual, activation was card driven.

The British defence line was pretty much where we'd expected to find it.  This squadron of Chieftains was an unwelcome discovery.

 We soon called in the Hinds to deal with the Chiefies.  We upset them but didn't kill any.

 An overview of the devastated landscape.

 Those Chieftains were quite a problem - both heli flights were soon engaged.

 

 Once our barrage lifted we were able to move through the villages - but then the British gunners opened up...

 The Chieftains soon ran off to the next position while a T-64 Btl stormed along the autobahn.

 Barrage over, it was time to move up the Btl of Sp 122s.

 The Brits in the centre soon came under enough pressure to drive them away.

Endgame.  We had one Btl off the western end and another poised to follow. At this point the Brits decided to pull out.

We agreed that honours were pretty even.  The Brits had successfully carried out that more difficult of operations, a delaying action and withdrawal under fire.  The Sovs has successfully pressed forward covering 12km in an hour and a half with a very acceptable casualty rate.